Your teeth and your oral health are not easy to care for during the teen years. A teenager often faces countless risks due to the pressures of their social settings, but environmental factors also play an increased role, especially with their oral health. Due to the final adult teeth erupting above the gum line, malocclusions are more common, and teeth are at an increased risk for getting knocked out of their natural alignment. For information about oral health risks and orthodontic treatment for teens, here are a few commonly asked questions:
What are some traditional everyday risks that could easily affect the oral health of a teen?
– Although many bad bites may happen naturally to your smile, teens face higher risks of oral damage than many due to the increased prevalence of bad habits such as wearing mouth jewelry, chewing or smoking tobacco, using drugs, even recreational ones, as well as competing in contact sports without the use of safety gear.
What variations of safety equipment should be used for teens who play contact sports?
– To better protect your teeth, wear safety masks, mouth guards, facemasks, and helmets whenever applicable.
What is the best kind of orthodontic treatment for a teen?
– Each individual case determines which treatments work best, but clear orthodontic aligners are highly effective for fixing crooked teeth with teens due to their clear exterior and lack of metal wires for a more socially conforming look during treatment.
If you are looking to improve your smile with an orthodontic procedure at Schouten Orthodontics, you are welcome to book an appointment with Dr. John R. Schouten and our team at our orthodontic office in Price, Utah. We can be reached at 435.637.0820. Malocclusions can be conquered, so feel free to come see us today.
